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Fifth Disease

The Signs and Symptoms of Fifth Disease

By Gwen Morrison

"It's only a serious concern in pregnant women during the first trimester," says Dr. Daniel R. Bronfin, section head of general academic pediatrics at the Oschner Clinic in New Orleans, La. "Also, it can be serious in children who have hemolytic disease or sickle cell disease, spyrocytosis, etc. Symptomatic care is all that's needed. Children do not need to be excluded from school because when the rash appears, it's no longer contagious."

Dr. Bronfin explains that generally this disease is more severe when seen in adults, where they typically have more arthritic-type pain as a primary symptom.

"I was unable to visit my sister-in-law who was expecting a baby and with a close family friend who was undergoing chemotherapy at the time," says Keenan. "It is evidently highly contagious and can be particularly dire for pregnant women and cancer patients."

Dr. Reddy explains why it is more serious if contracted during early pregnancy. "If a woman is infected during pregnancy, the baby can develop 'fetal hydrops.' This is a condition where the baby's blood cells break down faster than they are made," says Dr. Reddy. "Some babies – less than 10 percent of those whose mothers were infected in the first half of pregnancy – die of hydrops."

According to the New York State Department of Health, the infection in pregnant women has also been known to increase the risk of miscarriage or spontaneous abortion.

According to Dr. Bronfin, fifth disease appears to be most contagious during the week prior to the appearance of the rash. This is one of the main reasons it is spread so easily through the schools if a child has contracted it. By the time the rash appears, the child is usually no longer contagious. The only exception remains in those individuals who are immunosuppressed or who have certain anemias – they may be contagious for longer periods of time.

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